West Main and Cary streets face lane closures through April
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What the curb extensions look like on West Main street. Photo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios
Sections of West Main and Cary Streets are down to one lane as part of a city effort to make two of Richmond's most heavily traveled roads safer for pedestrians.
Why it matters: The closures last through next April, which means drivers should get used to longer travel times and using their turn signals.
State of play: The Department of Public Works announced the project back in June, but the work to install pedestrian curb extensions — at least 24 on Main and 31 on Cary — ramped up last month.
- The curb extensions essentially bump the sidewalk out into the street at intersections to shorten the distance people have to cross.
- It also makes it impossible for cars to illegally park too close to the corner — a major problem on Main and Cary that blocks visibility for drivers turning.
- The new curbs cut off at least two illegal parking spaces per lane, or four per block.
Zoom in: The construction runs between Arthur Ashe Boulevard and Belvidere Street, or between the end of Carytown and VCU.
- But lane closures won't be allowed during major commute times (7-9am and 4-6pm), according to procurement records for the project.
Context: Pedestrian deaths on West Main and Cary have prompted the city to take more aggressive action in recent years, adding speed bumps, curb extensions, traffic cameras around school zones and more.
- And citywide, residents have consistently pushed for pedestrian safety projects.
Zoom out: Drivers will also face closures on Broad Street between 4th and 7th streets through late fall as the city adds lighting and new landscaping, per a news release.
- Near Libby Hill Park: Westbound lanes of Williamsburg Avenue between South 31st and East Main will be closed until next summer as the city adds traffic signals, ADA-accessible sidewalks, street lighting and more.
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